The practical use of stereology in characterising capillary networks
Abstract
This study shows how to quantify capillary networks using older and recently developed stereological methods: 1) The surface area of capillaries may either be derived from vertical sections using cycloid grids or from isotropic, uniform random sections or estimated on sections with arbitrary orientation if the capillary network is isotropic. 2) The length of capillaries may either be estimated using isotropic, uniform random sections or using sections with arbitrary orientation if the capillary network is isotropic. 3) Diameter of capillaries may be calculated from length and surface area if the capillaries are much longer than their diameter. 4) The 0-dimensional number of capillaries may be estimated with normal "disectors" by using a topological definition of a capillary unit.